As Celtic supporters I am sure we all have tales and stories to share in regard to our great club.
” Murdo, Murdo, Murdo, Murdo ” was the loud cry from the Parkhead Jungle. Always a favourite with the Celtic supporters, Murdo signed for Celtic in November 1978 from Dumbarton for a fee of £ 100,000.
With a sturdy build, the fans quickly took to him for his all action endeavour in midfield and with a rocket shot in his armoury he would go on to score many a goal of the spectacular fashion.
Within six months Murdo had ensured his name would forever be in the hearts of the supporters as he scored Celtic’s fourth goal in the final minute of the legendary 4-2 league win against Rangers the night that ” ten men won the league”.
I witnessed many a great goal scored by Murdo and believe me most of them were of the top drawer variety.
Watching opposition players attempt to win the ball in a 50/50 challenge was great as Murdo would inevitably come out on top due to his strength and resilience, indeed I would say he even came out on top in a 40/60 challenge such was his never say die attitude.
Whilst still at school in 1979 I decided to write a letter to Murdo asking him for an autographed photo.
The reply duly came and as I excitedly opened the letter there was a tinge of disappointment as there was only the letter and no photograph.
The letter explained he presently had no photographs but he would keep my name and address and send one in due course.
Well the years strolled by, with me retelling the stories to family and friends and on occasion the letter would be produced to back the story up.
Leading up to my 40th birthday I decided to try and contact him and recall trying to do so through Radio Scotland by emailing them a copy of the letter but this was to no avail.
This is where Social media then came into play. Having been on Twitter as a user for over 2 years there had been occasions where I had posted a copy of the letter for my followers to see as I do regularly with my items of Celtic memorabilia.
On returning home from the recent 1-0 home defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League I sat down to watch the highlights.
It was then that I noticed my mobile phone flashing and on checking I could see someone had contacted me r.e. the letter.
Her name was Marina MacLeod, Murdo’s daughter and she told me that she had read the letter on Twitter and that if I sent her my contact details she would ensure I would get a reply
True to her word I received last week not one but two signed photos along with a letter. Now I have never met Marina or her Dad but I would like to thank her for all her help and thanks to Twitter we do talk on occasion.
The next move I suppose would be to meet the man, Marina, over to you.
Incidentally after leaving Celtic, Murdo went on to join Borussia Dortmund before returning to Scotland to end his playing career with Hibernian and finally his first club, Dumbarton.
In 1997, Murdo returned to Celtic as assistant manager to Wim Jansen in the winning of the SPL and preventing Rangers achieving their goal of 10 in a row.
Murdo, I salute you, thanks for the memories and the letter “34 years later“
Thanks again Marina, @marina_macleod as I would not be writing this now if it had not been for your kindness, you are a credit to your family.
@25051967Lisbon
